You will be allowed $1,000 in full for the service which is required of you by the appointment which has been conferred on you, which will be paid upon the joint certificate of Mr. Ward and Captain Gray, that it has been faithfully performed. I have, &c., Mr. EDWARD FOLSOM, Agent, &c., Mississippi. J. C. CALHOUN, REPORT On the Condition of the Military Establishment, Fortifications and Returns of the Militia; communicated to Congress by the President, Dec. 2d, 1823. SIR,-In compliance with your directions, I herewith transmit statements from the Major-General of the Army, and the several subordinate branches of this Department, lettered from A to M, which contain, in detail, a view of the administration of the first three quarters of the year, of the various branches of the public service intrusted to this Department ;-comprising the Army, Military Academy, fortifications, ordnance,—including the armories,-military pensions, bounty lands and Indian Affairs. The statements afford satisfactory proof that order, accuracy, economy, and accountability have been introduced into every branch of the military service. It will be seen by them that the money appropriated by Congress has been applied with economy to effect the objects of appropriation; that the accounts have been made up with accuracy, and transmitted with promptitude to the proper departments for settlement, and have there been settled without delay. These observations are true, with scarcely a single exception; and the result has been that, of the entire amount of money drawn from the Treasury in the year 1822, for military service,— including the pensions-amounting to $4,571,961 94,— although it passed through the hands of no less than 291 disbursing agents,-there has not been a single defalcation, nor the loss of a cent to the Government ;-and that the whole has been accounted for at the Treasury, except a small amount which remains in the hands of the disbursing agents, ready to be applied to the objects for which it was drawn. The disbursements for the first three quarters of this year have been equally satisfactory; and there is every reason to believe that no defalcation or loss will occur in the year. The administration in relation to Indian affairs, though greatly improved, and the expenditure reduced fully one half, is not as perfect as that of the military branch of the Department; nor can it be made so, unless rendered equally perfect in its organization. It is impossible, under the present arrangement, that the minute and constant attention to its details, which is indispensable to a perfect administration, can be bestowed. But it is not only in its disbursements that the military service has attained a high perfection. The condition of the army in every branch,-both of the line and staff,-in its materiel and personnel,—and in its discipline and administration,-is highly respectable. If there be any exception, it is in the discipline of the artillery. Though the officers of that branch of the service are equal in skill to those of any other, and are distinguished for their attention to their duties, yet it is found impracticable,-dispersed as the artillery is in commands of single companies,-to render their discipline of the corps as perfect as is desirable. It is contemplated, during the next year, to concentrate a sufficient number of artillerists for discipline at some proper point, and, by ren dering their discipline perfect, gradually extend the improvement, thus acquired, to the whole corps. It can be effected without additional expense to the public, and, it is believed, without material inconvenience to the service. Of the Military Academy, it may with confidence be said, that it has attained a state of perfection as great as is practicable under the existing legal provisions, and that it is not inferior to any similar institution in any country. Under the appropriations of the last session, Forts Washington, Delaware, and the one at the Rigolets, will be completed; and it is contemplated, should appropriations be granted, to commence, in the next year, the works projected at New Utrecht, which is intended to cover Fort Lafayette, which commands the Narrows at New York, and those at Brenton's Point, for the defence of Narraganset Bay. The Board of Engineers, besides its ordinary duties, were, during the last summer, engaged in executing several special orders; and, among others, in projecting a breakwater at the mouth of the Delaware, under the act of the 7th of May, 1820, and in forming a plan for the improvement of the entrance into the harbor of Presque Isle, on Lake Erie. In relation to both of these important subjects, it made very interesting reports,—with plans and estimates, which accompany the statement from the Engineer Department, herewith transmitted. The completion of the new fortresses, and those to be erected, will require an appropriation in order to fabricate the cannon and carriages necessary for their armament. It is estimated that an annual appropriation of $100,000 will, in ten years, furnish a sufficient number for all the works contemplated for the defence of the coast. There would, undoubtedly, be great economy in granting a permanent appropriation, instead of an annual one, as contractors would vest their capital at much less profit, under the assurance which would be afforded by the former. Under the appropriation to fix a site for a National Armory on the Western waters,-made the last session,-a commission, consisting of Col. McKee, Col. Lee, and Capt. Talcott, was constituted, which has been incessantly engaged in exploring the country on the Western waters, in order to make the location. It has not yet reported, but it is expected that it will make its report in the early part of the session of Congress. In the month of June last, the Riccarees, who inhabit the country on the Wisconsin, a little below the Mandan Villages, attacked Gen. Ashley with his party, while peaceably engaged in trading with them, at their request,—under license from the Government, and killed and wounded several of his party. Col. Leavenworth, who commanded Fort Atkinson, at the Council Bluffs, adopted immediate measures of redress. With a part of his command, he made a successful attack on the village, and compelled the Riccarees, after a considerable loss on their part, to sue for peace. Statement marked L contains the correspondence in relation to the transaction, and exhibits a full view of the facts. The report from the Adjutant-General's office, marked M, contains the returns of the militia according to the latest reports made to that office. Returns from only three of the States have been received in the course of the year, though every effort has been used to insure punctuality in making them. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, To the President of the United States. REPORT On the Condition of the Military Establishment and Fortifications, communicated to Congress by the President, Dec. 7th, 1824. DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Dec. 3d, 1824. SIR,-In compliance with your directions, I herewith transmit reports from the various branches of the military establishment, lettered from A to K, which contain a full statement of the administration of that portion of the public service which is confided to the Department of War. The reports afford satisfactory evidence that a high degree of excellence has been attained in the administration of the different branches of the Department. Not an instance of defalcation or loss has thus far occurred; and there is every reason to believe that the disbursements of the year will be made without the loss of a cent to the Government. The accounts have already been rendered for nearly all the money which has been drawn from the Treasury in the first three quarters of the year, on account of the army, fortifications, ordnance, and Indian Affairs; and it is anticipated with confidence, that the accounts of the whole of the disbursements of those quarters will be rendered before the end of the year. The old unsettled accounts of the Department, which, at the commencement of the present administration, amounted to $45,111,123, have been reduced to $3,136,991; and further accumulation is effectually prevented in the Department, by strict fidelity and punctuality in expenditure, and settlement of accounts. In order to improve the discipline of the artillery, eleven companies have been collected at Fortress Monroe, at old Point Comfort, which have been formed into a corps as a school of practice for the artillery. The dispersed condition |